History

Eshnunna’s recorded history began under the occupation of Ur. Shulgi (r. 2094–2047 bc), the son of Ur-Nammu and the second king of the third dynasty of Ur, rebuilt the temple of Esikil in Eshnunna for the god Tishpak-Ninazu in the 30th year of his reign (Frankfort et al., Gimilsin Temple, 196). During this period as a vassal to Ur, the city was ruled by numerous Ur-appointed governors, including Urguedinna, Bamu, Kallamu, and Ituria. Ituria oversaw the construction of the Gimilsin temple (Frankfort et al., Gimilsin Temple, 9). Gimilsin or Shu-sin (r. 2035–2027 bc) was the deified son of Shulgi. His son Ibbi-sin or Ibisin (r. 2026–2004 bc) was the last king of Ur (Frankfort et al., Gimilsin Temple, 196). Ur’s rapid decline allowed Sumerian city-states like Eshnunna to become more independent.

After Eshnunna gained its independence, Ilushuilia, the son of Ituria, declared himself king of Eshnunna, taking the titles “king of the land of Warum” and “king of the four quarters.” At this point, it also became customary for the ruler of Eshnunna to refer to himself as the “servant of Tishpak” instead of “servant of the king of Ur,” as his predecessors had done. Ilushuilia also built a palace adjoining the Gimilsin temple.

Subsequent rulers of Eshnunna include:

• Nurahum, who fought a war with Subartu;

• Kirikiri, who rebuilt the walls of Eshnunna;

• Bilalama, Kirikiri’s son, who defeated the Amorites and took the city of Ishur from them; he rebuilt the temple of Esikil and the palace;

• Isharramashu, during whose reign the palace burned down;

• Usurawasu;

• Azuzum;

• Urninmar, who reconstructed the palace of the three rulers;

• Urningishzida, who was either Urninmar’s younger brother or his son;

• Ibiqadad I, Urninmar’s son, who enlarged the palace;

• Abdierah, Ibiqadad I’s son, who was defeated and taken captive by Yawium, king of Kish, and who was a contemporary of Sumu-abum (r. 1894–1881 bc), the first king of the Babylonian dynasty;

• Shiqlanum, Abdierah’s younger brother;

• Sharria;

• Belakum, Sharria’s son, who built up Eshnunna’s power and took the city of Tutub;

• Waradsa, who came to power during Belakum’s time and may have been an usurper; he reclaimed Ishur for Eshnunna;

• Ibalpiel I, who rebuilt the palace;

• Ibiqadad II, Ibalpiel I’s son, who also rebuilt the palace and added buildings to the south; he was deified and took the titles “mighty king” and “king who enlarged Eshnunna”;

• Naramsin, Ibiqadad’s son, who was also deified but does not appear to have been as successful as his father;

• Dadusha, Naramsin’s younger brother, who was also deified and married the daughter of the king of Rapiku; likely a contemporary of Hammurabi of Babylon (r. 1792–1750 bc) and certainly the king associated with the Laws of Eshnunna (Roth, Law Codes, 57–58);

• Ibalpiel II, Dadusha’s son, during whose time Eshnunna became a vassal to Shamshi-adad I of Assyria (ca. 1813–1781 bc); after Shamshi-adad I’s death, Dadusha managed to break away from Assyrian rule.

When Hammurabi came with the Babylonian forces, Eshnunna sided with Assyria and was defeated. Hammurabi took control of the city and placed his own regent on the throne (Frankfort et al., Gimilsin Temple, 198–200).